Amsterdam's winter weather will be the most challenging part of any December visit for anyone not used to harsh winters. Expect it to be cold and wet, dress appropriately, and you'll be fine. Temperatures range from highs around 43°F to lows that dip to 36°F.
From November to January, the city comes alive with twinkling lights, buzzing holiday markets, concerts, plays, and parties whilst the aroma of mulled wine and oliebollen wafts through the air.
The weather in Amsterdam in December is cold with average temperatures of around 5 °C. The colder temperatures bring with them the chances of snow and there are as many as 11 days of snowfall to be expected in December and January. Wind speeds also pick up in December which can make the temperatures feel even colder.
If it's freezing you'll want to dress in layers, with gloves, a knit cap and woolen socks if it gets really cold. However, there is usually little freezing in December in practice. There's actually a fair chance rain clothes are more important than warm clothes. You can buy a reasonable set at HEMA for € 15 IIRC.
Amsterdam, Netherlands: December Views #christmas #amsterdam #netherlands #beautifuldestinations
What is the 3-3-3 rule for outfits?
The "333 rule" in clothing refers to two popular minimalist fashion concepts: the viral TikTok trend of using 3 tops, 3 bottoms, and 3 shoes to create numerous outfits (9 items total) for styling practice, and the more extensive Project 333, where you select 33 items (including clothes, shoes, and accessories) to wear for three months, excluding essentials like underwear, workout gear, and sleepwear, to simplify your wardrobe and reduce decision fatigue. Both methods focus on versatility, quality over quantity, and creating a functional capsule wardrobe.
While Amsterdam is always bustling, visiting in December can be as close to off season as you can get. Visiting Amsterdam in December means you have a small window of daylight and cooler temperatures, but if you're lucky you may spot some left-over fall colors as fall doesn't take hold until November.
What is the most Christmassy town in the Netherlands?
Did you know that in 2025, Christmas Town Valkenburg received the award for Best Christmas Parade in Europe, Best Christmas Market in the Netherlands and placed 7th in the competition for European's Best Christmas Market.
Three days is the perfect amount of time to spend in the city. Amsterdam is quite small, so you don't have to be here for a long time to see all the best attractions. If you're wondering what to do in Amsterdam in 3 days, this is the article for you.
Should you find yourself in Amsterdam around the holidays, you'll see the streets lined with all manner of light and art displays, and many busy squares occupied by different holiday-themed events, festivals and markets.
What is the best European city to visit in December?
December is perfect for winter holidays in Europe. Cities like Copenhagen, Hamburg and Vienna offer stunning Christmas markets, winter activities and festive traditions, making it a magical time to visit.
Located in the Netherlands, Amsterdam has a changeable climate throughout the year with mild temperatures in the summer and very cold winters. The best time to visit Amsterdam is in the summer when the weather has warmed up enough that you might even catch a tan while you're out in the city.
Best and worst times to visit Amsterdam. Dutch weather is very unpredictable all year around but generally speaking I don't recommend January or February because it's cold, dark and grey. And the chance of seeing snow is actually very small. It's just going to be windy and rainy.
Packing list for Amsterdam in winter. Winter can be quite grim in the Netherlands, if it's not snowy then it's usually just grey, cold and often rainy. Make sure you have warm layers, waterproof shoes and a proper water-proof coat with a hood rather than bothering with an umbrella.
The "3 x" (XXX) in Amsterdam refers to three St. Andrew's Crosses on the city's coat of arms and flag, symbolizing its history as a fishing town and its connection to the patron saint of fishermen, with theories suggesting they represent valor, firmness, and mercy, or protection against fire, flood, and plague, though the most likely origin is linked to the noble Persijn family who owned land there, with the crosses also appearing on flags of nearby towns they owned.
In the Netherlands, this amount is generally considered above average. The average net salary in the Netherlands is around 2500 euros per month, so with 3000 euros, you are above that. This means that with this salary, you should be able to live comfortably, provided you manage your expenses well.
